Idea Factory International announced that its Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei, will be launching on Nintendo Switch on June 28 in North America and July 1 in Europe. Both regions will receive the limited edition and physical copies of the game.
Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei takes place fifteen years after the Heiji Rebellion, the Heike clan has reached the height of its power, while the Genji clan remains devastated by defeat. Hidden deep within the mountains of Kurama lives Shanao, the youngest surviving male heir to the Genji name. However, Shanao harbors a deep secret known by very few. The youngest heir to the Genji name is no man.
Torn between her duty to live up to the Genji family name and her desire to live a peaceful life, Shanao sets off in hopes to take down the Heike stronghold and finally bring peace to the country. Her adventure leads her to find new cherished relationships, as well as something deeper than the feud between the rivaling clans.
▍Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei Characters
■ Yoshitsune Minamimoto (Nickname: Shanao) (Name Changeable) – CV: N/A
Born the youngest daughter of Yoshitomo Minamoto, Shanao was brought to Kurama Temple upon the death of her father in the Heiji Rebellion. There, the monks were instructed to raise her as a boy who could one day grow strong enough to overthrow the Heike. She was trained and raised by Kakunichi, Shanao excelled in matters of military strategy and in combat.
■ Shungen – CV: Soma Saito
A child of Shigenari Minamoto, and a vassal of Shanao’s father who was brought to Kurama Temple upon the death of his father at the same time as Shanao. Because the two have been together since they were very young, Shungen is aware that Shanao is a woman.
■ Yoritomo Minamoto – CV: Makoto Furukawa
The youngest son of Yoshitomo Minamoto. Yoritomo’s father and older brothers were all killed by the Heike in the Heiji Rebellion. Just fourteen at the time, Yoritomo’s life was spared from execution by Kiyomori Taira’s step-mother, Lady Ikenozeni.
■ Tomomori Taira – CV: Jun Fukuyama
The fourth son of Kiyomori Taira, and graceful in both words and appearances. From the outside he would appear to have little use for war, however, he has time and time again demonstrated himself to be a fierce warrior, a superb general, and a trusted advisor to Kiyomori.
■ Noritsune Taira – CV: Kengo Kawanishi
Nephew of Kiyomori Taira, and son of Norimori Taira, Noritsune holds nothing but contempt for the soft, decadent clan the Heike has become. Though he may not like the present aristocratic nature of his clan, he takes deep pride in his role as a samurai and is said to be one of the clan’s finest warriors. Unlike Tomomori, Noritsune does not see the gathering storm on the horizon for the Heike.
■ Benkei Musashibo – CV: Yuichiro Umehara
Previously a monk at Mount Hiei, Benkei was expelled from that temple after an incident with the Heike. Since then, he has been stealing the swords of Heike officials in response. After being defeated by Shanao, he pledged to become Shanao’s vassal. Kind, gentle, and good-natured, Benkei and Shanao both share a history of growing up in temples and dissatisfaction with the brutal rule of the Heike.
▍Love Catch System
After a choice is made, five flowers, each corresponding to one of the lead male characters, will appear on the screen. Open flowers indicate the player’s choice has deepened their relationship with that character. The color on the edge of the frame indicates which character’s ability has increased as a result of the player’s decision.
▍Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei Limited Edition
Fans can already pre-order a limited-edition copy of Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei, which comes with exclusive art books, a steel game case, and even CDs containing the official soundtrack, as well as some audio dramas. Here’s a list of everything included in the limited edition:
- Birushana: Rising Flower of Genpei Game (Switch)
- Collector’s Box
- Steel Game Case
- Official Hardcover Art Book
- Ballad of the Rising Flower (2-Disc Set)
- 2 Audio Dramas (Inside there is a link that will take you to an English translation.)
- Official Soundtrack
- 5 Card Double-Sided Bromide Set
- Reversible Cover Sleeve
- Exclusive Trading Card
